What Types Of Bookkeeping Software Have You Used In The Past
Bookkeeping software is used by many companies that employ accounts payable specialists. While bookkeeping software can be learned on the job, prior familiarity with this type of program demonstrates past job experience and the ability to learn advanced programs. An applicants answer here can also demonstrate how comfortable they are working with unfamiliar software and learning new skills on the job.
What to look for in an answer:
- Past job experience
- Comfort with advanced computer tasks
- Willingness to learn new programs
Example:
I mostly used QuickBooks at my previous job, but I also taught myself Zoho Books and Xero when I was in school. Ive seen changes in the industry and always updated my skills as necessary.
Why Accounts Payable Interview Questions & Answers Matter
Working in tandem with the procurement function, the role of the accounts payable function has evolved from a cost-savings paradigm to one built on preserving and generating value for the organizations they support.
Todays accounts payable teams absolutely need to continue handling traditional AP tasks such as accurate and complete bookkeeping, processing of vendor invoices, and managing cash flow . But with the growing influence of digital transformation on everything from internal compliance to profitability and competitive agility, accounts payable clerks and specialists are expected to have, or obtain, more technical know-how than ever before, including new methods for optimizing everyday tasks in order to support organizational goals.
These expectations also include a fundamental grasp of important concepts and technologies such as process optimization, workflow automation, artificial intelligence, and deep data analytics as essential tools of the trade for modern AP.
Adjusting your accounts payable interview questions to incorporate these expectations is essential in identifying candidates who have the right mix of skills, or the aptitude to develop them.
What Does Debit Balance Mean
A debit balance is what a customer who has borrowed funds to buy securities owes to a broker or other lender. The term debit balance specifically refers to the total amount of money clients or customers need in their accounts after buying the security so that the transaction can take place without any problems.
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What Qualities Does An Accounting Associate Need To Have To Be Successful
Accounting Associates should feel happy to do compiling and review financial information, prepare financial paperwork, assist with payroll processing, and maintain records. In general, the administrative type of working in the accounts department is a plus. This is a laborious job, so a long time sitting or standing calls for good health while attending to figure work needs good eyesight. One of the most wanted qualities, besides accounting, is being a good communicator and having interpersonal skills.
Do You Feel Your Experience Is A Good Fit For The Company
Being a successful Accounting Associate, I have a wide range of diversified experience in the accounts area. I am sure that my skills related to tax calculation and report generation will come in handy in this organization. Because I have experience in working with others and being a leader, I, therefore, try to understand both the team, the business, and operations sides of the company too. I have hands-on knowledge regarding several Accounting Software, including Peachtree, QuickBooks Pro, and Cloud-based accounting software as well.
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Best Interview Questions For Ap Specialists
While theyre expected to demonstrate financial expertise and skills as standard accounts payable clerks, accounts payable specialists focushence specialistin making sure an organizations bills get paid correctly, completely, and on or before the due date. In this capacity, they must also engage in more direct vendor relationship management than standard AP clerks, as they will deal directly with suppliers in the course of everyday business as well as when resolving discrepancies.
The educational requirements for AP specialists are often more restrictive than for basic bookkeepers candidates may be expected to hold a two-year degree at a minimum, and preference will likely be given to those with more advanced education or considerable direct experience in the role of AP specialist. In addition, these candidates should have strong familiarity and extensive experience with standard accounting software as well as industry-specific tools.
In fact, because todays AP specialists tend to operate almost exclusively in digital environments rather than with manual workflows and paper-based processes, candidates should have a much more robust understanding of, and experience with, emerging digital technologies and tools.
When interviewing candidates for specialist roles, consider these questions as well:
Answers Should Demonstrate:
Answers Should Demonstrate:
Answers Should Demonstrate:
Describe How You Would Solve An Invoice Discrepancy
This will actually be your jobto receive, process, verify, and reconcile the invoices. Show the interviewers that you know what to do in a case that somethings not right about the invoice.
The best course of action is contacting a vendor , and pointing out the discrepancy clearly, asking them to remedy it as soon as possible. Of course you wont send the money unless the invoice meets all legal criteria
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Fair For All Candidates
Weve built our platform and tests on the standards of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to remove unconscious bias from the hiring process. This means youll see your best candidates ranked the highest regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or age. We also periodically use differential item functioning studies performed on data collected from candidates. This helps us to continually remove any potential adverse impact from the hiring process.
What Is The Daily Routine Of An Accounting Associate Like
Being ac Accounting Associate is a kind of junior position that mostly depends on the needs of seniors on day to day basis. So, there are no limits on the Accounting Associates work. He has to deal with day-to-day issues. He has to remain active in maintaining the work environment and company culture and doing coordination between various areas. Sometimes, he has to answer employees queries and provide data accordingly. He also has to keep employee and company data updated as desired.
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In The Coming Time Do You Feel To Redo With Your Competencies And Approach Too
Yes, the change is upcoming, and we must be prepared for that. There are new and emerging laws, innovative standards, and all new expectations from stakeholders audit approach for professionals are planning to hone their technical knowledge and widen their understanding of new technologies and the new application in audit, and we need to enhance our interpersonal skills maintaining high ethical standards, skepticism, and independence.
Can You Share With Us A Difficult Experience You Have Had To Manage At Work How Did You Handle It
One of the tasks that can emerge in this role is conflict management. This question can help you understand how applicants diffuse disputes, especially in a team environment. What to look for in an answer:
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving capability
Example:
“Technology and software advancement has made it easy to streamline the accounts payable process. However, uncertainties are inevitable. For instance, I was managing vendors and contractors that had diverse payment modes. It was going to be a challenge to pay them on time without automation. So, we had to switch to a platform that enabled us to use a centralized payment spot that integrated into different systems.”
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Accounts Payable Interview Questions About Experience And Background
Here is a list of accounts payable interview questions about experience and background:
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What strategies do you use to track the status of accounts?
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What do you do if a vendor underbills us on an invoice?
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Discuss your experience with creating spreadsheets and financial reports.
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Describe your ability to work with bookkeeping software.
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Please tell us about a situation where you faced a technical difficulty while working on a task.
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When did you face a problem when working with a client?
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Have you worked on a delinquent account before?
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Do you prioritize accuracy or efficiency when working in this role? Explain why you made this choice.
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Name the documents you need to verify a vendor’s invoice.
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Discuss how you’d maintain the accuracy of financial records in this role.
Read more:Learn About Being an Accounts Payable Specialist
How Would You Describe A Typical Day As An Accounts Payable Clerk
The interviewer is asking this question to see whether you understand the description of your job. Like the interviewer, you should be able to anticipate challenges and be prepared for them. You can do this by demonstrating your knowledge of the job. If you are looking to advance in the profession, answer by outlining how you would like to see yourself grow into the job.
Example answer: “A typical day for me as an accounts payable clerk goes something like this. I usually arrive in the office and immediately take care of my emails. I reply to any colleagues who have contacted me. I then deal with the paperwork and other financial tasks that have accumulated overnight. I spend the majority of my day completing invoices, managing the accounts payable process and tallying up documents and payments before preparing them for the next day. Occasionally, I will order new supplies or replace old equipment, but that doesn’t happen too often.”
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What Do You Think Are The Best Qualities Of Accounts Payable Clerks
This question is crucial if you want to test the candidate’s self-awareness. It can help you understand whether they are passionate, confident, and trustworthy in their conduct. What to look for in an answer:
- Collabouration and good communication
- Priorities and understanding of job requirements
- Technical capabilities
Example:
“The position of Accounts Payable Clerk requires someone organised, detailed-oriented, a team player, trustworthy, and an excellent communicator. An accounting professional who can diligently keep up invoices and make important financial decisions can excel in this role. I believe I have all of these qualities and skills, so I’ll be able to succeed in this role.”
What Are Your Salary Expectations
Many consider this question to be a loaded gun dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced. Often times, an interviewee will start talking salary before theyve had an opportunity to illustrate their skill set and value making any sort of leverage valueless. Here, knowledge is power, as salary often comes down to negotiation. Do some research into your industry to establish base rates of pay based on seniority and demand but keep in mind your employer is hiring you for what they believe you are worth, and how much benefit they feel you will provide.
One relatively safe approach is simply asking the interviewer about the salary range. If you wish to avoid the question entirely, respond by saying that money isnt a key factor and your primary goal is to advance in your career.
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What Do You Understand By Liabilities
A liability is something a person or a company obliged from the bank. This is what a company owes, usually a sum of money. Liabilities are settled over time by transferring economic benefits, including money, goods, or services. In other words, we can say that liability is an obligation between one party and another which is not yet completed or paid for.
A Vendor Claims They Haven’t Received Their Check For The Previous Month’s Work But You Mailed Out Their Check Last Week What Do You Do
Accounts payable specialists interact directly with vendors to make sure they get paid. Their ability to handle complex situations is important in maintaining positive relationships with vendors. This question allows interviewers to gauge a candidate’s customer service skills and their commitment to protecting their company’s financial information.
A candidate’s answer should emphasize:
- Customer service skills
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Tell Me About Yourself
In polling hundreds of different companies & HR departments, this is by far one of the most frequently asked questions in any job interview. Your interviewer will use this as an icebreaker, ideally to put you at ease and get you speaking openly and honestly.
While you definitely want to be prepared for this question, you certainly dont want to make your answer sound memorized. Keep in mind, while this question may sound like an invitation to share your life story, you can be assured your interviewer has very little interest in hearing about everything youve ever done.
The person giving the interview has a job to do as well respect their time. Unless you are asked about something specific, focus on your education, your work history, relatable hobbies and outside interests, as well as your current situation.
Be sure to start chronologically and tell a linear story. Start where you feel is sensical, then work your way up to the present.
Which Information Must You Have For Invoice Approval For Payments
Candidates should respond by identifying a few of the critical factors and bits of information essential for invoice approval. For instance, they should know that checking if the goods or services have been acknowledged is vital, and they should note that verifying the amount is essential. They may also mention that checking whether the organization has been expecting a reduction in cost is important.
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Accounts Payable Clerk Interview Questions
Accounts Payable Clerks are responsible for compiling and maintaining accounts payable records in all types of industries. Common requirements for this role include a BS degree or experience in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration. Technical skills include proficiency with proprietary software and spreadsheets.
In some situations, the type of their experience may prove to be more important than the length of their experience. If knowledge of your industry would contribute to faster onboarding and a deeper understanding of the role, be sure to add questions that pertain to the industry.
The following open-ended and situational interview questions will help you assess their accounts payable experience. The most important thing will be to differentiate theoretical experience from hands-on experience especially if you dont consider this to be an entry-level role or dont have the capacity to train a new hire.
What Is The Difference Between Consignor And Consignee
Consignor: The consignor is the owner of the goods and is responsible for delivering the goods to the Consignee. For example, goods producers, wholesalers, etc.
Consignee: Consignee is the person who receives the goods, and he possesses the goods and not the owner. For example, suppliers, distributors, etc.
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How Do You Minimize Errors In Your Day
Being relatively error free in an accounting environment is immensely important to the employer. Employers may want to know how you will aspire to work as error free as possible. While perfection is a high aspiration, explaining your methods in perfectionism may leave a good impression on the interviewer if done so honestly.
Example:”I’m not perfect, but I try to prioritize correctness over work-speed. The method I use that’s worked so far is to triple-check and compare once before it leaves my work-station. The most challenging part of this is that in my previous workplace, work-speed was important. Often I was pushed to question if I really needed the extra care when work was becoming backed-up throughout the day. In the end, I tried very hard to prioritize doing quality work over quantity.”
Do You Consider Yourself A People Person
Employers not only ask this to further understand how well you will work with their team, but also if you will work well with clients. Accounts receivable clerks work with clients and coworkers daily, so it is imperative that they are open and engaging in social settings during a workday. Consider presenting yourself in a friendly and open manner throughout the interview to solidify with your employer that you are social and easy to talk to.
Example:”In a previous position, I took calls for almost the entirety of my work experience in the company. I found the social nature of it easy and almost preferable to working in a setting that involved more desk work. However, in my most recent position, I’ve encountered my share of both and can say that I enjoy both working with people and alone. Neither is difficult for me.”
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What Accounting Software Are You Familiar With
Say how long you have been working with the software. You can even say why you prefer it to other, competing software packages available on the market.
You can also add that you are a quick learner, and that user interface is somehow similar with each accounting software, and that you are sure you will quickly learn to work with the program they use in their work. Show them that you are not afraid of the challenge, and will do what you can to master your job quickly.
Why Is The Knowledge Of Stpi Required In Accounts Payable
The knowledge of STPI is required in Accounts Payable because some software service providers get exemption from STPI for their software exports. So, in Accounts Payable, we have to define the vendor STPI location-wise. In India, there are different STPI locations. If one vendor supplies services or materials to all or some of the STPI locations, we need to maintain the same vendor STPI wise.
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What Do You Understand By An Early Payment Discount
Early payment discount is a type of discount given to buyers when they pay their bills early. According to the terms and conditions mentioned in the purchase order, the suppliers discount buyers when they make payment before the due date.
For example, if a company ABC sold 1 million rupees worth of goods to XYZ Company and payment terms are 30 days from the invoice date. The ABC Company can give a 5% discount to XYZ Company if they make the payment within one week from the invoice date. It is an example of an early payment discount.
